WarDance (Chronicles of the Warlands #5)(92)

“Why so, a warrior as lovely as you.” Simus rolled back, pulled her down to stretch out on top of him, skin on skin.

Snowfall shrugged, reaching to run her fingers over his chest. “So much to learn, I think. Then Wild Winds grew ill, and, to be honest, no warrior-priest held much appeal to me.”

“I trust I appeal?” Simus asked.

“I wouldn’t be here otherwise,” she said quietly. She lifted an arm and pulled him into another kiss.

Simus was more than willing, and now his hands were free to explore, stroking her soft skin; Snowfall returned the caress. It became a long, slow exploration that left them both breathing harder, and their bodies warm and filled with desire. Simus’s hands slipped lower, to her core, stroking her folds with the tips of his fingers but not going deeper. A simple, slow touch.

Snowfall shifted to her side, putting one leg over his hip, trying to thrust herself against his hand.

“Slow,” Simus reminded her, chuckling against her mouth.

“Simus,” she moaned, looking at his with dazed eyes. “Death comes in an instant,” she said him.

Simus drew a breath. “Truth,” he murmured in her ear, and for a moment they stilled, memory of the day hanging between them.




She’d almost died.

Simus looked at the lovely, strong warrior beside him and his heart almost thumped out of his chest. He could have lost her so easily...

Simus eased her onto her back, moved between her legs, and pierced her heat in one strong thrust.

Snowfall gasped, her hands clutching at his shoulders, her eyes wide.

Simus froze, keeping his weight off of her. “Snowfall?”

“Simus,” she said, arching her neck back. “Elements.” It was almost a prayer as she shuddered around him, adjusting her legs, spreading them wider. The movement made him gasp, and he sucked in a breath, trying to forestall his own release.

Simus watched as her eyes and face reflected all of her passion and pleasure, there for him to see. “You are so beautiful,” he whispered, shifting to cradle her head in his hands, kissing her face and neck.

Snowfall’s nails dug into his back. “Move, move,” she said, bucking under him. “I want—”

“Whatever you want,” Simus said. He moved his mouth along her skin, trailing kisses further down. He took one breast in his hand, pinching her nipple and then sucking it into his mouth.

“Ah, Simus.” She pulled his head up and kissed him again. “Please,” she mouthed against his lips. “Please.”

He moved then, watching her face, feathering kisses all over. Her face, so quiet, so calm and still, now showed every emotion, every feeling as he began his strokes, waiting and watching, wanting to wring out every bit of pleasure he could for her.

—Until the moment she cried out, arching her back, clutching at his shoulders. Then and only then did he allow himself to lose his focus. He followed her in a burst of pleasure, easing off to one side a moment later, limp and languid with delight.

Snowfall murmured something and reached out, flailing a hand about until it met his tunic. She used it to clean them of the worst of it, and then tossed it aside, her eyes only half-open. She cuddled back down against his chest, and Simus pulled her into his arms.

“Sleep,” she said and he nodded into her curls and allowed himself to drift off.




The cooler air from the open tent flap woke Simus, his skin prickling as a breeze swept in. He reached out for their bedding and pulled it up and over both of them. Starlight spilled through the opening, giving just enough light to see.

Snowfall had spooned up against him, cradled in his arms. The blankets warmed around them as he breathed in her scent. Unable to resist, he nuzzled the soft skin behind her ear, her curls tickling his nose.

Snowfall tilted her head to give him better access. Simus pressed kisses along the line of her neck and shoulders.

He held her breasts, tweaking her nipples, and felt her hum of appreciation. His hands drifted down, stroking her stomach. She shivered in his arms, and, with one hand, encouraged him to drift lower, seeking...

Her stomach let out a loud growl.

Simus couldn’t help but let out a belly laugh.

Snowfall twisted in his arms, and gave him a sparkling smile that took his breath away. She rose to sit cross-legged, facing him, letting the blanket fall away. The flowers in her tattoo had hidden themselves, but he could see traces of color under the green leaves.

“I love your smile,” Simus whispered. He watched in delight as a blush rose on her brown skin.

“Our training,” she explained. “A warrior-priest must be enigmatic and mysterious. Your eyes and face shouldn’t reflect your thoughts.” She reached for the dried meat and gurtle.

“Yet your stomach growls,” Simus said, poking at her belly.

Snowfall blocked his hand and looked offended, but he saw through that in a heartbeat.

“Best fill your stomach.” Simus danced his eyebrows. “Before I fill your—”

She popped a piece of gurt in his mouth to shut him up.

Simus grinned around the food, but the taste of the cheese reminded his own belly of its emptiness. He sat up and took a strip of the meat.

Snowfall reached for kavage.

“It will be cold,” Simus warned. “We could get fresh.”